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For Clippers: The worst of times ... and now?

December 13, 2008 | 11:29
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Chris Kaman has been through some awful Clippers seasons. But he didn't hesitate when I asked him the other day at practice if this was the worst stretch he has been through here. The injured Kaman nodded, and said, "Yes."

This is why it wasn't surprising when Baron Davis said that this start ranked "up there" in terms of bad. And he's been through the ugly start at Golden State (last season) and the bad back in New Orleans. After Saturday night's victory against Houston, he said in the locker room that he may have been "too optimistic" in the beginning of the season.

"I just thought things were going to start clicking from the beginning," he said. "But missing training camp, with all the new faces, it was tough. For me, it was a humbling experience. It was something for me to understand and to learn."

Consecutive wins against credible NBA teams, Portland and Houston, have him thinking the future is bright.

The Clippers had four wins on Thursday. Now they have six -- and without the services of Kaman. He could be back around Christmas, and his return will alleviate some of the pressure on Zach Randolph and Marcus Camby.

"It is going to be great," Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy said. "When you have a third guy like that, you can rotate all three of them, and add to it as well. It cuts down on the big minutes that some of our guys have to play."